Clent Blackwood and Bryar Chambers of Wallace State Community College are leading after Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Saginaw Bay presented by Bass Pro Shops with 21 pounds, 15 ounces.
Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.

June 16, 2021

BANGOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Despite a three-hour run and a slow start to the day, the Wallace State Community College team of Clent Blackwood and Bryar Chambers sacked up 21 pounds, 15 ounces of smallmouth bass on Saginaw Bay to take the lead on Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops.

The Alabama anglers hold a 5-ounce lead over the second-place team of Tyler Vanbrandt and Jarrod Layton from Adrian College in Michigan and an 8-ounce lead over third-place Brian Linder and Nathan Thompson.

“We were thinking this would be tough,” Blackwood said. “We knew what was in this lake, and we didn’t find anything in practice. We found some largemouth but nothing of size. In practice, we only saw one smallmouth, and we took a gamble this morning and made a long run.”

Despite only catching one smallmouth in practice, Blackwood and Chambers made the run out of Saginaw River and into the Bay and arrived at their spot around 9 a.m. After Blackwood landed their first bass in just three casts, the bite stalled and the duo made a couple of moves.

After two hours without a bite, Blackwood and Chambers hit a flurry, catching almost all of their weight in a matter of minutes before heading back to check-in.

“We fished around for like two hours and then it was bam, bam, bam,” Chambers said. “We just started catching them. It really didn’t matter what we were throwing, I don’t think (the fish) had ever seen baits before. They just reacted to anything that came past them.”

Blackwood said the water was so clear on Saginaw Bay that they could see the smallmouth on the bottom in 12 feet.

“We were fancasting, zigging around, and when we found one, we would focus on that fish until it was in the box,” he said. “We are going to have a lot fewer rods on the deck tomorrow. We were able to close in on what they are keying in on. We are feeling good, but we are still anxious.”

Heading into the final day, Chambers said he and Blackwood are going to fish the same way, but isn’t sure if their spot will reload tomorrow.

“I don’t know if we can repeat it on the same hole, but I think we can repeat it not far from there,” he added.

While much of the Top 5 focused on smallmouth, Vanbrandt and Layton caught five largemouth bass for 21-10 to land in second place.

In practice, they fished for largemouth with little success. But on tournament day, they made an adjustment and found the quality they needed.

“We came out here and practiced and looked for mostly largemouth and didn’t find anything great. We caught one 4-pounder,” Layton said. “Today we pulled up to our areas and fished them a little differently than most people would and caught 4-pounders. It was a crazy day. The conditions were perfect.”

During a breezy final day of practice Tuesday, Layton said the water in the area got pushed to the south shore. As winds calmed Wednesday, the water began flowing back into the area, creating current that helped the Adrian College duo locate their fish with several different baits.

“We had a limit of 11 pounds by 10 a.m., and then between 10 and noon we jumped up to between 15 and 17 pounds,” Vanbrandt said. “We caught our last big one around 1:30 and came in early to make sure we were in. It was an all-day thing, but the big ones were toward the end of the day.”

Layton said he and Vanbrandt plan on hitting some of the same areas they fished on Day 1 and have a spot they located in practice saved for the final day.

Linder and Thompson focused their efforts on smallmouth, and while they only had six bites throughout the day, landed a five-bass limit weighing 21-7 using predominantly a drop shot.

“We had a pretty long run and caught our fish in about three hours, but we only had six bites the whole day,” Thompson said. “We caught our fish off boulders in a certain area. The area is huge and they are extremely spread out. (Humminbird) MEGA 360 helped us a lot with that, for sure.”

Having never been on the lake prior to this week, the Minnesota duo used their knowledge of their home lakes to help them eliminate unproductive water on Saginaw Bay.

“The first couple days of practice we just looked for the stuff that looks good on our home ponds,” Linder said. “We caught a couple and rolled the dice on it and it paid off.”

The sixth-place team of Lucas Smith and Dalton Mize from Jacksonville State University caught a largemouth weighing 5-9 to earn Carhartt Big Bass honors on Day 1. Meanwhile, the Bassmaster Team of the Year leaders Logan Parks and Tucker Smith from Auburn University caught 21-0 to land in the Top 5 heading into the final day of the regular season.

The full field of 167 boats will compete Thursday for a chance to not only take home the tournament victory but to punch their ticket to the 2021 Carhartt Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at the St. Lawrence River in August.

Teams will take off from Independence Boat Launch at the USS Edison Battle Ship starting at 6 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in starting at 3 p.m.

2021 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops Saginaw Bay 6/16-6/17
Saginaw Bay, Saginaw MI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Club/School Pts

1. Clent Blackwood – Bryar Chambers Wallace State 250
Day 1: 5 21-15 Total: 5 21-15
2. Tyler Vanbrandt – Jarrod Layton Adrian College 249
Day 1: 5 21-10 Total: 5 21-10
3. Brian Linder – Nathan Thompson 248
Day 1: 5 21-07 Total: 5 21-07
4. Zach Salters – Jenson Kay Adrian College 247
Day 1: 5 21-04 Total: 5 21-04
5. Logan Parks – Tucker Smith Auburn University 246
Day 1: 5 21-00 Total: 5 21-00
6. Lucas Smith – Dalton Mize Jacksonville State University 245
Day 1: 5 20-14 Total: 5 20-14
7. Joshua DeKoning – Dalton Mollenkopf Adrian College 244
Day 1: 5 20-13 Total: 5 20-13
8. Easton Fothergill – Nick Dumke University of Montevallo 243
Day 1: 5 20-06 Total: 5 20-06
9. Robert Cruvellier – Sam Harvey Auburn University 242
Day 1: 5 19-15 Total: 5 19-15
10. Anthony Fazio – Caleb Jacob Illinois State University 241
Day 1: 5 19-11 Total: 5 19-11
11. Chase Carey – Dylan Akins Emmanuel College 240
Day 1: 5 18-13 Total: 5 18-13
11. Nathan Doty – Bailey Bleser McKendree University 240
Day 1: 5 18-13 Total: 5 18-13
13. Carson Maddux – Jake Maddux Auburn University 238
Day 1: 5 18-06 Total: 5 18-06
14. Christian Wright – Conner Giles Bryan college 237
Day 1: 5 18-03 Total: 5 18-03
15. Ryan Winchester – Joe McClosky Bethel University 236
Day 1: 5 18-02 Total: 5 18-02
16. Spencer Black – Lucas Oliver Catawba Valley Community College 235
Day 1: 5 18-01 Total: 5 18-01
17. Caleb Dachenhaus – Elliot Wielgopolski Adrian College 234
Day 1: 5 18-00 Total: 5 18-00
18. Mitchell Gunn – Kyle Kunst 233
Day 1: 5 17-13 Total: 5 17-13
19. Jamesen Simion – Alex Strunk Bowling Green State 232
Day 1: 5 17-11 Total: 5 17-11
20. Jacob Emery – Aaron Jagdfeld Adrian College 231
Day 1: 5 17-10 Total: 5 17-10
21. Ryan Park – Sam Niemeyer Murray State University 230
Day 1: 5 17-09 Total: 5 17-09
22. Colby Kerr – Hunter Jones Kentucky Christian University 229
Day 1: 5 17-05 Total: 5 17-05
23. Austin Carr – Justin Carr 228
Day 1: 5 17-04 Total: 5 17-04
24. Judd Morgan – Joey Bissing University of Tennessee 227
Day 1: 5 17-01 Total: 5 17-01
25. Hunter Fillmore – Coleman Bingham Bethel University 226
Day 1: 5 17-00 Total: 5 17-00
25. Hayden Scott – Griffin Fernandes Adrian College 226
Day 1: 5 17-00 Total: 5 17-00
27. Cody Griffith – Drew Jennings Auburn University 224
Day 1: 5 16-14 Total: 5 16-14
28. Justin Botts – Conner Dimauro Bryan college 223
Day 1: 5 16-13 Total: 5 16-13
28. Peyton McCord – Caleb Whitehurst Auburn University 223
Day 1: 5 16-13 Total: 5 16-13
28. Chase Mundhenke – Blake Milligan Auburn University 223
Day 1: 5 16-13 Total: 5 16-13
31. Kurt Antonowitsch – Isaac Toms Western Michigan University 220
Day 1: 5 16-09 Total: 5 16-09
31. Kyle Palmer – Brad Ableman Bethel University 220
Day 1: 5 16-09 Total: 5 16-09
33. GL Compton – Hunter Bond Clemson University 218
Day 1: 5 16-08 Total: 5 16-08
34. John Kirk – Brycen Hendriks 217
Day 1: 5 16-07 Total: 5 16-07
35. Hunter Enlow – Reed Green Lander University 216
Day 1: 5 16-07 Total: 5 16-07
36. Shane Nelson – Brayden Federer Adrian College 215
Day 1: 5 16-04 Total: 5 16-04
37. Reed Kochan – Nate Boenning University of Wisconsin Stevens 214
Day 1: 5 16-04 Total: 5 16-04
38. Jack Risch – Matthew Mikolajczak University of Wisconsin – Madiso 213
Day 1: 5 16-03 Total: 5 16-03
39. Hayden Gaddis – Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 212
Day 1: 5 16-02 Total: 5 16-02
40. Tyler Cory – Scott Sledge University of Montevallo 211
Day 1: 5 16-01 Total: 5 16-01
41. Dylan Matus – Ethan Valdes Ferris State University 210
Day 1: 5 15-14 Total: 5 15-14
42. Matthew Cummings – Joseph Woods Bethel University 209
Day 1: 5 15-12 Total: 5 15-12
43. Conner Crosby – James Cobbs Auburn University 208
Day 1: 5 15-11 Total: 5 15-11
43. Matthew Davis – Zach Manneback Adrian College 208
Day 1: 5 15-11 Total: 5 15-11
43. Alden Keel Jr – Lake Norsworthy Blue Mountain College 208
Day 1: 5 15-11 Total: 5 15-11
46. Alex Richmond – Riley Bowen 205
Day 1: 5 15-09 Total: 5 15-09
47. Robert Gee – Chase Dawson University of Tennessee 204
Day 1: 5 15-08 Total: 5 15-08
47. Drake Hemby – Griffin Heffington Carson-Newman University 204
Day 1: 5 15-08 Total: 5 15-08
49. Brenton Godwin – Hunter Odom University of Montevallo 202
Day 1: 5 15-07 Total: 5 15-07
50. Jacob Frazier – Maddux Walters Carson-Newman University 201
Day 1: 5 15-06 Total: 5 15-06
50. Kobie Koenig – Ben Anderson 201
Day 1: 5 15-06 Total: 5 15-06
50. Austin Tapley – Carter Ball Adrian College 201
Day 1: 5 15-06 Total: 5 15-06
53. Drew Traffanstedt – Dakendrick Patterson University of Montevallo 198
Day 1: 5 15-05 Total: 5 15-05
54. Jarred Jones – Logan Tate Jacksonville State University 197
Day 1: 5 15-04 Total: 5 15-04
54. Gunner Whitaker – Mitchell Johnson Kentucky Christian University 197
Day 1: 5 15-04 Total: 5 15-04
56. Chase Clarke – Mitchell Peterson Auburn University 195
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
56. Zach Mcnary – Eric Hanover 195
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
56. Thad Simerly – Tate Sloan Tennessee Tech University 195
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
59. Garrett Thompson – Caden Haines West Virginia University 192
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
60. Drake Shipman – Mason Phillpotts Independent 191
Day 1: 5 15-02 Total: 5 15-02
61. Tyler Price – Ethan Shaw Bryan College 190
Day 1: 5 15-01 Total: 5 15-01
62. Ty Black – Avry Thomason Georgia Southern University 189
Day 1: 5 15-00 Total: 5 15-00
63. Connor Jacob – Sam Smith Auburn University 188
Day 1: 5 14-15 Total: 5 14-15
64. Wyatt Pearman – Kyle Workman Campbellsville University 187
Day 1: 5 14-14 Total: 5 14-14
65. Nate Triplett – Cody Barnes University of North Alabama 186
Day 1: 5 14-12 Total: 5 14-12
66. Andrew Howell – Tommy Sendek University of Montevallo 185
Day 1: 5 14-11 Total: 5 14-11
67. James Ge – Paul Tabisz University of Michigan – An Arbo 184
Day 1: 5 14-10 Total: 5 14-10
67. Levi Mullins – Chase Milholen Bethel University 184
Day 1: 5 14-10 Total: 5 14-10
69. Chase Sansom – Tyler Drown Marshall University 182
Day 1: 5 14-09 Total: 5 14-09
70. Fisher Overton – Fisher Young Blue Mountain College 181
Day 1: 5 14-07 Total: 5 14-07
71. Hunter Bailey – JR Young Jacksonville State University 180
Day 1: 5 14-06 Total: 5 14-06
72. Hunter Palmer – Tim Herrmann bryan college 179
Day 1: 5 14-05 Total: 5 14-05
72. Bo Thomas – Cole Zagrzebski Western Michigan University 179
Day 1: 5 14-05 Total: 5 14-05
74. George Gore – George Fallon Clemson University 177
Day 1: 5 14-03 Total: 5 14-03
75. JJ Kocevar – Logan Knoebel Kent State University 176
Day 1: 5 14-00 Total: 5 14-00
76. Morgan Miracle – Jake Thornbury Campbellsville University 175
Day 1: 5 13-15 Total: 5 13-15
76. Matthew Roberts – Alice Lloyd College 175
Day 1: 5 13-15 Total: 5 13-15
78. John Pope – Walker Leslie UNC Charlotte 173
Day 1: 5 13-14 Total: 5 13-14
78. Seth Roberts – Austin Aikins Bethel University 0
Day 1: 5 13-14 Total: 5 13-14
80. Cole Rankin – Ewing Minor Carson-Newman University 171
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
80. Tanner Shriver – Jacob Klicman Kent State University 171
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
82. Jeremy Dellinger – Nathan Smith Catawba Valley Community College 169
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
82. Garrett Warren – Will Jones Auburn University 169
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
84. Tyler Christy – Trey Schroeder McKendree University 167
Day 1: 5 13-10 Total: 5 13-10
84. Reese Kingston – Caleb Barrow Brewton-Parker College 167
Day 1: 5 13-10 Total: 5 13-10
84. Hunter Waldrop – Mark Kershaw University of South Carolina Uni 167
Day 1: 5 13-10 Total: 5 13-10
87. Dalton Smith – Cade Hayford Campbellsville University 164
Day 1: 5 13-09 Total: 5 13-09
88. Tyler Thompson – Charles Snawder Rougeux University of Louisville 163
Day 1: 5 13-07 Total: 5 13-07
88. Jacob Welch – Grant Harris Drury University 163
Day 1: 5 13-07 Total: 5 13-07
90. Drew Gill – Zebulon Frasure Wabash Valley College 161
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
91. Logan Anderson – Tyler Little North Carolina State University 160
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
91. Beau Browning – Hunter Baird Drury University 160
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
91. Matt Messer – Lafe Messer Kentucky Christian University 160
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
94. Sam Hoesley – Sam Hanggi Auburn University 157
Day 1: 5 13-02 Total: 5 13-02
95. Hayden Bartee – Syon Barnes Jacksonville State University 156
Day 1: 5 13-01 Total: 5 13-01
96. Russel Buffa – Sam Shoemaker Adrian College 155
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
96. Troy Gibson – University of Louisville 155
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
96. Hunter Loftin – Mac Johnston-Herzberg Missouri State University 155
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
99. Solomon Glenn – Ryan Thomas University of Montevallo 152
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
100. Nolan Yeager – Ethan LeGare Stephen F. Austin State Universi 151
Day 1: 5 12-14 Total: 5 12-14
101. Jacob Autry – Nick Montilino Murray State University 150
Day 1: 5 12-13 Total: 5 12-13
101. Tyler Lubbat – Hayden O’barr 150
Day 1: 5 12-13 Total: 5 12-13
101. Ben Rand – Mason Grossbauer Davenport University 150
Day 1: 5 12-13 Total: 5 12-13
104. Noah Stauffer – Trevor Campbell Ferris State University 147
Day 1: 5 12-12 Total: 5 12-12
105. Dale Hansard – Mason Lee Jacksonville State University 146
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
105. Christopher Lemaster – Damon Stepp Eastern Kentucky University 146
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
107. Dawson Burton – Jonathan Fraley Kentucky Christian University 144
Day 1: 5 12-10 Total: 5 12-10
108. Cody Prichard – Zach Mefford University of Dubuque 143
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
109. Bryant Marsh – Tyler Hill Blue Mountain College 142
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
109. James Yuska – Adam Troyer Indiana University 142
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
111. Cordell Beckman – Mark Burnham Greenville University 140
Day 1: 5 12-05 Total: 5 12-05
112. Josh Kelly – Nick Crawford Kent State University 139
Day 1: 5 12-05 Total: 5 12-05
113. Nicholas Gilbert – Hunter MCClaskey King University 138
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
113. Wyatt Montle – Austin Ware Missouri State University 138
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
113. Mason Vernia – Samuel Mateer Western Michigan University 138
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
116. Andrew Mega – 135
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
117. Jack Dice – Jeramy Evans Liberty University 134
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
118. Kyle Ashe – Steven Gawron 133
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
118. TJ Edwards – Camdon Lewis Blue Mountain College 133
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
120. Branden Burrill – Andy Clark Western Michigan University 131
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
121. Austin Anderson – Calan Cameron Stephen F. Austin 130
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
122. Jake Kimbrough – Grant Busby Blue Mountain College 129
Day 1: 5 11-09 Total: 5 11-09
122. Kobe Thompson – Bryce Kostman Adrian College 129
Day 1: 5 11-09 Total: 5 11-09
124. Lane Bailey – Adam Seagle CVCC RedHawks 127
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
125. Jacob Butts – Trevor Gorman Erskine College 126
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
125. Isaac Duncan – Taylor Owens Blue Mountain College 126
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
125. Louis Monetti – 126
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
128. Chandler Ellis – Parker Lambert Lander University 123
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
128. Cameron Smith – Cole Breeden Drury University 123
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
130. Eric Rasmussen – Nick Redlin 121
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
131. Gavin Cloutier – Calvin Rogers King University 120
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
132. Bobby Beck – Anthony Degregorio 119
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
132. Rudy Worley – John Nowlin Blue Mountain College 119
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
134. Sean Clayton – Owen Dimaio Clemson University 117
Day 1: 5 11-00 Total: 5 11-00
134. Max Schweikert – Grand Valley State University 117
Day 1: 5 11-00 Total: 5 11-00
136. Rob Lindsey – Mason Cizek Bryan College 115
Day 1: 5 11-00 Total: 5 11-00
137. Donavan Carson – Landon Lawson King University 114
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
137. Jeremy Pinkowski – Tomas Matual McKendree University 114
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
137. Matt Short – Colton Combs Eastern Kentucky University 114
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
140. Kaden Brown – Brandon Leach Eastern Kentucky University 111
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
141. Justin Eggers – Caleb Lonca Catawba County Community College 110
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
142. Wil Rigdon – Dustin Jones Campbellsville University 109
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
143. Conner Johnson – Hunter Osborne Georgetown college 108
Day 1: 5 10-02 Total: 5 10-02
143. Garrett Smith – Erskine College 108
Day 1: 5 10-02 Total: 5 10-02
145. Walker Brown – University of North Alabama 106
Day 1: 4 10-00 Total: 4 10-00
146. Nate Overocker – Evan Seggerman Greenville University 105
Day 1: 4 09-13 Total: 4 09-13
147. Dylan Chambers – Brock Bila Drury University 104
Day 1: 4 09-09 Total: 4 09-09
147. Patrick Henry – Mekenzie Vander Molen Ohio State University 104
Day 1: 4 09-09 Total: 4 09-09
149. Austin Owen – Carter Thompson Clemson University 102
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
150. Jared Minor – Michael Miller Ohio State University 101
Day 1: 4 08-15 Total: 4 08-15
151. Whit Edmonds – Bobby Long Lander University 100
Day 1: 3 07-12 Total: 3 07-12
152. David Hendel – Jacob Blackburn Ohio State University 99
Day 1: 4 07-10 Total: 4 07-10
153. Alek Masters – Hunter Hodge Eastern Kentucky University 98
Day 1: 3 07-00 Total: 3 07-00
154. Jason Zubris – Aidan Gordinier Penn State University 97
Day 1: 3 06-13 Total: 3 06-13
155. Brock Williams – Christopher Batts Ohio State University 96
Day 1: 3 05-13 Total: 3 05-13
156. Jd Clarke – Ben Tschoerner Stephen F Austin State Universit 95
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
157. Tyler Pendergrass – University of North Alabama 94
Day 1: 1 04-02 Total: 1 04-02
158. Austin Paulus – Justin Gillilan Ohio State University 93
Day 1: 2 03-14 Total: 2 03-14
159. Steve Kinard – Jimmy Mitchum Lander University 92
Day 1: 4 02-11 Total: 4 02-11
160. Jacob Middleton – Will Lutes Ohio State University 91
Day 1: 1 02-08 Total: 1 02-08
161. Seth Elkins – John Russell Reaves Jacksonville State University 90
Day 1: 1 02-07 Total: 1 02-07
162. Luke Chaddock – Chase Noland West Virginia University 89
Day 1: 3 01-13 Total: 3 01-13
163. Dalton Coleman – Noah Hurford Kentucky Christian University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
163. Tristen Dubbs – Cameron Ross Grace College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
163. Ryan Franks – Kent State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
163. Riley Lawson – Jay Issac Morehead State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
163. Jacob Miller – Jack York Stephen F. Austin State Universi 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 145 776 2217-05
———————————-
145 776 2217-05